Continuing the watch design trend of “more blue is better,” Cartier showed a blued version of their Calibre De Cartier Diver at SIHH earlier this year. As with many of its peers, this simple color swap manages to impart this rather dressy Cartier diver with an appeal distinct from that of the original black-dialed version. From steel to solid gold, the Cartier Calibre de Cartier Diver Blue wears the color well, adding a playful touch of personality to a brand often characterized by their stoic aesthetic.
Save for the coloring, the blue variant of the Calibre de Cartier diver is identical to the original black version of the Calibre de Cartier Replica Watches Diver that Ariel reviewed here. With a 42mm case in steel or 18k pink gold, the new blue dial is matched by an equally blue, lumed ceramic bezel insert. At 11mm thick, the Calibre de Cartier Diver is a consummate dress diver, offering a more sporty interpretation of the Calibre de Cartier platform. Dress divers are a strange evolution, a subspecies of the sport watch grown to bridge the gap between the traditional role of a dive watch as a tool and its more modern context as an object of luxury with adventurous intentions.
While few dive watches actually see use as tools for scuba diving, many watch buyers desire a Cartier Replica with the ancillary qualities of a dive watch. So, within the large market for casual dive watches there is a demand for higher-end products that retain some semblance of their toolish roots. A very similar thing has happened to SUVs over the past twenty years. What was once a tool then became popular for its strong versatility and was eventually co-opted by the luxury market. Think of the difference between an old Wrangler and a new Grand Cherokee, or a Merc 280G vs a modern G65.
Focusing on the blue, I think it’s a strong addition to the lineup. While the black version is certainly a classic look, I think the blue really suits the nautical feel of the Calibre de Cheap Cartier Replica aesthetic. The blue is arguably an even stronger suit for the solid gold version. While the two tone has a certain appeal, the full 18k pink gold version really rips the knob off. While I don’t have the wrist to pull off a gold dive watch, I think I get the appeal and there is something wondrously nouveau-riche about the solid gold Calibre de Cartier Diver Blue on a blue rubber strap.
Accepting the possibility that I have digressed, on wrist, the Calibre de Cartier Diver Blue feels special, which is the key element for a watch in this segment (that being, watches that have to battle the mighty Rolex Submariner). The version of the rubber strap shown at SIHH (and in these photos) appears to have been replaced with a blue version of the strap shown in Ariel’s review linked to above. I have tried the current blue strap and it’s excellent; comfy, sporty, and ideal for this sort of watch. Competition is hot at this price point, but I think the Fake Cartier, especially in blue, offers its own appeal that is going to be popular among both Cartier fans and also those looking for a change of pace from the standard options from Omega and Rolex.
